There has long been ambiguity over the manner in which Fernando Torres exited Liverpool to embark on his Chelsea adventure as, over two years ago, the Spaniard attempted to explain in the Daily Mail that the club had lied to him and that the owners made "false promises".

Embellishing further on the story to AS, the Spaniard - who has perpetually struggled for form but struck significant goals from the few he has returned - said: "Everything [the fans] heard is the version that some people at the club gave to the media and have spread among the supporters. They’ve made it out to be something, which isn’t the truth."

Despite the acrimonious departure, Torres has fond memories of his time at Anfield, comparing how content he was on Merseyside to his emotions at the club that developed him - Atletico Madrid.

"I played there for three and a half years and I was made to feel right at home, like at the Calderón. The support the fans gave me was tremendous, and gave me tremendous confidence and self-assurance when I went out to play."

He continued: "I’m sure it isn’t easy to understand why a player leaves, but I focus on the thousands of letters that I receive here in London, from Liverpool fans thanking me and telling me that they follow me now, even though I’m at another club.

"When we went to play at Anfield last year, a man of more than 70 years old came to the hotel, almost in tears, and thanked me and wished me the best. There’ll be all sorts of opinions, but the Liverpool fans I’ve come across have had words of affection for me."